<p>Lula said on Saturday that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani - whose case has provoked international condemnation - would be welcome in Brazil if her presence in Iran is a problem for "my friend Ahmadinejad".<br /><br />"I ask the leader of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to allow Brazil to shelter that woman," he said during a campaign stop for his Workers' Party in the southern state of Parana.<br />Lula said he had learned in his political career to negotiate and "to defend dialogue between nations, in search of world peace".<br /><br />Iranian judicial authorities have ordered a delay of execution for the 43-year-old Ashtiani, but insist that they will not be influenced by foreign pressure. <br /><br />Brazil's president said earlier last week that he would remain out of the debate, but has been under increasing pressure from a campaign organised through internet social network sites to take a stand on her behalf.<br /></p>
<p>Lula said on Saturday that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani - whose case has provoked international condemnation - would be welcome in Brazil if her presence in Iran is a problem for "my friend Ahmadinejad".<br /><br />"I ask the leader of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to allow Brazil to shelter that woman," he said during a campaign stop for his Workers' Party in the southern state of Parana.<br />Lula said he had learned in his political career to negotiate and "to defend dialogue between nations, in search of world peace".<br /><br />Iranian judicial authorities have ordered a delay of execution for the 43-year-old Ashtiani, but insist that they will not be influenced by foreign pressure. <br /><br />Brazil's president said earlier last week that he would remain out of the debate, but has been under increasing pressure from a campaign organised through internet social network sites to take a stand on her behalf.<br /></p>